A recipe to beat the Packers

On December 2nd we had another falling out with Christian Ponder. Minnesota had taken a 14-10 lead over Green Bay in Lambeau Field by halftime. After a 48-yard run in the early second half by Adrian Peterson, we were poised to go up 11 against our hated rival. That is when Ponder threw an interception to Morgan Burnett, killing the drive, and changing the potential upset into the predictable loss at Green Bay.

The loss placed the Vikings at 6-6, and given the impossibility of the remaining schedule, most gave up on the season.

And then Minnesota beat the Bears, Rams, and Texans by a combined score of 80-42. Two of the games on the road, even. Now we are 9-6 and need only win at home to go from 9-23 the last two seasons, to a playoff team. All we have to do is beat the Packers.

And we can.

The recipe is simple. And given this is the season of recipes, I have decided to share....

Get a large mixing bowl, or Dome. Fill it with alcohol, food, and crazy people. Pipe in loud music that forces them to yell until their throats are sore.

Quickly stir in something to get excited about. Defensively, a sack by Jared Allen or Everson Griffen. Maybe an interception by wonder kid Harrison Smith, or a fumble-producing hit from Antoine Winfield. Chad Greenway will cover the ball. Hopefully, that will be the impetus for an early lead.

This will get the noise to rise. And let it bake. Do not open the oven door (turnovers).

When we have the lead it is time decorate/frost our meal. And that means lots of Adrian Peterson. I know everyone wants to see him get the record, but our focus should be on All Day pounding would be tacklers all game. Punish them. Sprinkle in a little Toby Gerhart to keep it fresh.

Defensively, everyone has to be at their best. It is time for the front four, and whatever blitz we concoct, to affect Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay has won five straight vs. Minnesota, but not too long ago Rodgers feared the Dome. It is time to remind him of games past.

When we have the lead late in the game, it is time for the fans and the defense to join together. With every great rush by Jared Allen, cover by Josh Robinson, Chris Cook, or A.J. Jefferson, the fans must reward them with noise. Green Bay is very good at the passing game, but in the season's first loss they rushed for 150 yards. This cannot happen again. We must get a lead and force them out of the run so that we can attack Rodgers with a pass rush. And given the sporadic play of Green Bay's offensive line, it is possible.

We will serve the meal to everyone. A national audience, fans off the bandwagon. It does not matter.